Lesson 1

Objective:  The students will read the novel Fire in the Hole to be exposed to the mining issues in the Coeur d'Alenes during the late 1800's.

Materials:  20 copies of the novel Fire in the Hole

Bibliography:

Farrell, M. (2004). Fire in the Hole. New York:  Clarion Books

Duration:  2 weeks

1. The class will read together and discuss the novel.

2. The students will be instructed to journal daily about topics brought forth in the book.  They will be looking for possible topics to write on in the final project, which is to create a newspaper article about the era.  Possible topics include:  wages in the late 1890's, treatment of mine workers by mine owners, the effect of unions on the mining business, children's roles in the era, women's roles, family life, etc.

Evaluation:  Students will share their journals with the teacher and discuss their areas of interest so that further research can be done on their topic for the final newspaper project.

Lesson 2

Objective:  The students will do a map activity to understand that people from many different countries were living and working in Idaho in the late 1890's.  They will also be exposed to the criticisms and biases that were felt toward people from different countries and cultures.

Materials:  
  20 copies of "Race and Ethnicity in the Coeur d'Alenes" compiled by Katherine Aiken
  20 copies of a world map
  20 Ultra fine point sharpie markers
  20 rulers
  Optional- colored pencils

Duration: 2 class periods

1. The class will read and discuss the handout "Race and Ethnicity."

3. The class will discuss the biases felt toward other races and nationalities based on the handout they read. 

Evaluation:  One way to grade this is so that half the grade is based on neatness and half on accuracy and inclusion of all information.

Lesson 3

Objective:  The class will create a newspaper on Microsoft Word that will contain several articles that represent the time period and issues discussed in the novel Fire in the Hole.

Duration:  3 weeks

Materials:  20 copies of the novel Fire in the Hole, access to the computer lab, 5 large pieces of poster board, glue sticks, scissors, a cutting board, and a variety of newspaper articles taken from the local newspaper.

1. The students will choose from a list of topics or create a topic of their own that deals with the time period and issues of the Coeur d'Alene mining wars.  Some possible topics were listed in Lesson 1 as journal ideas.  Other topics may include baseball, clothing, social events, the arts, music, race and ethnicity, or any topic approved by the teacher.  The importance is to have the students choose a topic that they feel strongly about and would like to research on the web.

2. The class will need to go to the computer lab to research sites that will give them information on their topic.  It may be wise depending of the structure of your class to have the students research in pairs.  A compiled list of sites will follow, but please help the students to personalize their search on a search engine that you prefer.

http://www.fyinorthidaho.com/Facts/history.asp

http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/geog/mining/minewars.htm

http://www.kued.org/productions/fire/photos_stories/coeur.html

http://www2.state.id.us/ishs/index.html

http://www.ridenbaugh.com/ipad/1900.htm

http://www.burger.com/minemusi.htmS

http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/geog/mining/minewars.htm 

3. After compiling information, take a class period or two to let the class look at current local newspapers.  They should practice writing sample articles on an unrelated topic or your choice, perhaps on a school activity or sporting event.  Emphasize that newspaper articles are written to answer the facts, or the who, what, when, where, and how of an event. 

4. Students will write their articles for the newspaper in the computer lab.  Have the class choose the size and style that they will all type, such as size 20 font, Times New Roman.  The size and style you choose will depend on whether you would like your newspaper to hang on the wall for all to see or smaller for up-close viewing. It will be necessary to have the students type in columns.  Have them choose 2 columns in their page setup.

5. After the articles are written, have the students print out a copy for you to grade.  This will not be the copy that will go on the actual newspaper.  Grade this copy and give editing remarks.  The students will then go back and make corrections for the final newspaper. 

6. As a class, name your newspaper and have someone type out the title for the main front cover.  Margins should be 1 inch on the sides and 2 inches between columns.  On all pages but the front, have them leave 2 inches on the top and bottom.  The front page will have a 2 inch bottom margin and the top will vary based on your title.

7. To put your newpaper together, it may be necessary to change the columns for the layout of the paper.  You will be using a paper cutter for this.  Split your class into small groups of 4 so that each group can create their own page.  Do not glue the articles down until all articles have been arranged on your posterboard.  This process may take some time.  Make sure you have access to the computer lab so that you can go back and make layout changes.  When you have completed the layout, use rulers to make sure it looks straight and even before gluing it down.  Your newspaper will be complete.

Evaluation:  You will want to take several grades as you proceed with this project.  Suggestions:  daily grade for participation, grade for the original article that is submitted, grade the edited copy, a grade for teamwork when putting the page together, and finally grade the completed page.